The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Ross Stripling off the 10-day disabled list ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies. It brings their active roster to 35 players.
However, the Dodgers are one short, as Kenley Jansen did not make the trip to Denver as a precaution. It was during the Dodgers’ last visit to Coors Field that Jansen again experienced an irregular heartbeat.
That series was also when Stripling experienced back trouble that kept him on the disabled list since Aug. 15 (retroactive to Aug. 12). Although an MRI revealed two compressed discs, he attributed the lower back trouble to a soft mattress at the team hotel.
As a result, Stripling revealed he was assured his mattress would be flipped to a more firm side. He was originally expected to be activated during a series against the Texas Rangers, but lingering discomfort caused a delay.
Stripling’s return should aid a bullpen that will be looking to remain afloat without Jansen. Overall this season, Stripling is 8-3 with a 2.62 ERA, 3.10 FIP and 1.13 WHIP in 28 games (17 starts) while striking out 121 and walking 17 in 110 innings.
In his 11 appearances as a reliever, Stripling has posted a minuscule 0.59 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 17 strikeouts and six walks in 15.1 innings.
